Secondhand bookshops

Clearly I'm not the only one who would rather spend time in a secondhand bookshop - or even a new bookshop - than in a fancy boutique or shoe shop.

Which are your favourite shops?

Also (or should this be a separate thread?) I'm going to be spending two or three hours in Hay-on-Wye soonish, haven't been for decades. Any particular shops to visit? I'm especially interested in fiction, literature and gardening. DH likes a good murder mystery so I assume that Murder and Mayhem is the bookshop for him.

Scarthin Books in Cromford, Derbyshire is great. I too read a lot of e books since getting my kindle, but there is always a place for paper. Hard copy purchases now tend to be objects of desire rather than utility. Quick reads are done electronically.

I love charity shops - two of the best for bargains in north London are Dalston Oxfam and the Green Lanes (Harringay) Marie Curie shop near the Ladder roads.

In central London, Any Amount of Books is near Leicester Square tube station and they have a lot of review copies of books come in. If you buy a lot they'll say "call it x" so things often cost a bit less than marked prices.

I know two people have already mentioned it, but Barter Books in Alnwick, Northumberland is a must. Books on everything, rare out of print, and up to date best sellers. It is in the old railway station, roaring fires, self service coffee and biccies in one part, or cafe with delicious food and seating in the old waiting rooms and buffet! I visit at least twice a week. If you take a bag of books, they look through them and give you credit. Any book you buy has the price and their stamp clearly marked. Then if you return it you get 50% back in credit. You can take your dog too and they have jars of doggie treats to help yourself to. (for the dog)

Anyone who is familiar with Barter Books in Alnwick - do you know whether they would give any credit for secondhand children's books (in good condition)? Going there in a few weeks, and not sure whether it's worth finding space in the car for a couple of bags of books the kids have grown out of.

Bookbarn - it's in Hallatrow, a little Somerset village just a short drive from Bristol/Bath. The books are stocked in a rather haphazard fashion, but you can uncover some real gems. Best of all, all the books are just £1 each. Well worth a visit.

There is a small, second-hand children's bookshop that has recently opened in Colston Road in Bristol. It's a rather quirkly little place, but well worth a visit. The owner is on twitter as @bookben76.

Are there any decent second hand bookshops in Oxford? I'm going there for a visit soon, and as a booklover, what should I aim to see or visit?

The Bookbarn is awesome - my friend and I and our three children spent over three hours there and came away with a stack of books each. And hey have a nice café I can recommend Crabpot Books in Cley next the Sea in Norfolk - grea selection ad a friendly owner who knows her stuff.

Campsape sorry, have you been to Oxford yet? Only just seen your post.

If you've not been, Blackwell's in Broad Street is the place to go. Make sure you visit the Norrington Room, a huge underground room. Secondhand and Rare Books are now on the second floor, a bit cramped but worth browsing. They have an Art Book shop across the road.

Sadly, some of the secondhand bookshops have closed over the years, but Oxfam have two good ones, in Turl Street and St Giles. There are a couple of very specialist academic secondhand booksellers, but I haven't been in so can't recommend.

I like rummaging in charity shops and just seeing what turns up, I love the serendipity of it. Obviously, some areas deliver 'better' findings but I find the Bethany shops are all worth an explore, not sure why that would be though.

Scarthin Books at Cromford in Derbyshire is brilliant. It's on about 4 or 5 floors, has a veggie cafe and lots of hidey holes, secret door and rooms of different genres. Shame it's about an hour away from where I live but I go as often as I can.

The best one (and the biggest in the UK) is Baggins in Rochester, Kent. It's in a Tudor building sloping floors, ceiling high shelves that go back and back and thousands of books on four floors. It's a maze! And amazing!